Jean Marie Vianney, better known as the Curé d'Ars has been dead a very long time. In fact this year marks the 150th anniversary of his death, and to mark this 'special milestone' the Holy Father announced this morning in Rome that there will be a special Year of Priesthood observed once the Pauline Year comes to an end.
The Year of Priesthood will begin on June 19, 2009 and will end on June 19, 2010 and will be moulded by the theme Christ-like faith, priestly faith. The Holy Father will innaugurate this special year by presiding at Vespers on the evening of June 19, first vespers of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Sanctification of Priests, in presence of the relequary of the Curé d'Ars and the Bishop of Belley-Ars. His Holiness will close the Year of Priesthood on June 19, 2010 by participating in a World Meeting of Priests which will take place in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.
During this coming jubilee year, His Holiness will proclaim Saint Jean-Marie Vianney as Patron saint of all priests and a special Directory for Confessors and Spiritual Directors will be published along with a collection of texts prepared by the Supreme Pontiff on the essential themes of the life and ministry of priests today.
The Congregation for Clergy, along with Diocesan Ordinaries and Major Superiors of Religious Orders will be entrusted with the promotion and coordination of a variety of spiritual and pastoral initiatives aimed at allowing all people to better appreciate the role and the mission of priests in the Church and in the world today. It is hoped that this will be a springtime of discovery for those discerning a call to priesthood, and will also be beneficial to those who are currently in formation for ministry.
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